"Little fans who sang cheers despite the 7th-degree cold": Park Moon-soon, 23, rejected by pro teams twice, responds with three hits and a walk-off run: "Ulsan is the team that saved me"

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

"No one recognized me, but Ulsan saved me."

Park Moon-soon (23), who was not drafted in two professional drafts, repaid the team that gave him a chance with a walk-off run.

On the 30th, at the 2026 Ulsan-KBO Fall League semifinal against the KIA Tigers held at Ulsan Munsu Baseball Stadium, Park started as the leadoff hitter and second baseman, delivering a standout performance with three hits in four at-bats, one walk, and one run. Ulsan scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to secure a 2-1 walk-off victory over KIA and advance to the final.

Park's bat was hot from the early stages of the game. In his first at-bat in the bottom of the first inning, he hit a ball from left-handed starter Yoon Young-cheol for an infield single up the middle. With two outs in the bottom of the fifth, he hit a line drive to right field to complete a multi-hit game. In the bottom of the seventh, he lifted a pitch from left-hander Choi Ji-min, who is part of KIA's bullpen, into the gap in right-center field for a double.

After the game, Park told reporters, "My condition was excellent today. I decided to swing aggressively from the first pitch. Gaining confidence at the plate led to good luck and a positive result."

However, Ulsan struggled to score. Trailing 0-1 through eight innings, the team faced the risk that this game would be their last of the season. The tide turned in the bottom of the ninth. With one out, Kim Su-in (29) reached base on an error by the opposing shortstop's throw, and a pinch runner stole second base to create a scoring opportunity. Park then drew a walk to set up runners on first and second with one out. Next, Park Je-beom (25) hit a line drive to right field for a single that tied the game. Park, who had advanced to third base, crossed home plate on Kim Seong-gyun's (25) sacrifice fly in the outfield, ending the game.

There was also a request from the manager who gathered the team during the game. Park revealed, "The manager told us that this game might be our last of the off-season. We are a citizen-owned club, and the opponent is a formal professional team, but as a citizen-owned club, he said we must be more desperate than them to win. So, we approached the game with even greater desperation."

For Park, Ulsan holds meaning beyond just his affiliated team. A right-handed batter and left-handed thrower who graduated from Gongju Jungdong Elementary School, Gongju Middle School, Bukil High School, and Dankook University, he was not drafted by any professional team upon graduating from high school or college. He once considered retirement, but joined Ulsan, a citizen-owned club founded this year, allowing him to continue his playing career.

His first season was not smooth sailing. In 74 games in the Futures League this year, he recorded a .245 batting average (37 hits in 151 at-bats), two home runs, 18 RBIs, and eight stolen bases. He faced physical and technical difficulties on the professional stage, which was new to him. Park said, "I knew there was a big difference between amateur and professional baseball, but it was tough in the early part of the season. Later, the coaches and coaching staff taught me many detailed aspects, so things became a bit easier toward the end."

After the season ended, his hitting form improved further. Through the Fall League semifinal, Park recorded a .387 batting average (12 hits in 31 at-bats), one RBI, five runs, an on-base percentage of .525, a slugging percentage of .484, and an OPS of 1.009 in nine games. He explained, "In the Futures League, I was physically tired and my body wasn't fully prepared. In the Fall League, my condition and hitting form improved late in the game. As I kept playing with confidence, good results followed."

Above all, he felt deep gratitude toward Ulsan for giving him a chance. Park emphasized, "No one recognized me, but this team saw something good in me. I love baseball so much and was truly desperate. They are the team that saved me. I think they are a very grateful team."

There were also fans cheering for Park. On the day, about 250 spectators gathered at Ulsan Munsu Baseball Stadium despite the cold weather of 7 degrees Celsius. In particular, a pair of elementary school sisters led cheers with dance moves, injecting energy into the stands. Wang Jun-seong (49), who has visited more than 10 Ulsan home games this year alone, said, "I first came out of curiosity because it was the Ulsan team, but their performance is good and the atmosphere of citizens cheering together is nice." He added, "The kids come to watch games even without me. Since today might be the last game, I came back to the stadium."

The cheers from the young fans were also felt on the field. Park revealed, "I could hear their cheers. It gave me strength. I tried to play with even more desperation and worked hard to live up to the fans' expectations."

Ulsan finished first in the Southern League in the Futures League, which they participated in for the first time this year, but settled for second place in the championship series. They have now secured a chance to challenge for the title again in this Fall League.

Park said, "The atmosphere wasn't great after finishing second in the championship series, but we encouraged each other by saying we did well. This time, our mindset is different, and the senior players are taking good care of us, so we are playing in a good atmosphere." He continued, "I am truly grateful to the fans who came all the way to the Fall League even after the regular season ended. Thank you for always calling my name loudly. I will live up to expectations by playing well in the final and winning the championship."

Ulsan will compete for the title against Long Beach Coast, a team from the American independent league alliance that has recorded an undefeated streak of 11 games (9 wins, 2 draws), at the same venue at 2 p.m. on the 31st.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original